Portrait—K.N.R., No. 5 or Songs of the Sky C5 1923

This gelatin silver print was created by Alfred Stieglitz. Photography is a potent medium, born from a blend of technology and chemistry. With the rise of photography, many felt painting was obsolete, however, Stieglitz passionately advocated for photography as a fine art. He manipulated the camera’s perspective, and the darkroom process, to imbue his prints with artistic intention. The gelatin silver printing process involves coating paper with light-sensitive silver halides, developing the image, and then fixing it to prevent further exposure. The darkroom is where the magic happens, as the photographer carefully controls contrast and tonality. The "Songs of the Sky" series represents Stieglitz's effort to capture pure emotion through form and light. By mastering the photographic process, Stieglitz elevated the medium. He showed that photography could be as expressive and profound as any other art form, blurring the lines between technical reproduction and creative expression.